In the summer of 2021, we asked the children of the ‘Marianna V. Vardinoyannis – ELPIDA” Children’s Oncology Unit how they imagined the heroes of ELPIDA, their heroes. And because a picture is worth a thousand words, the children – the little heroes of ELPIDA – picked up markers, paint brushes and coloured pencils and ‘spoke’ to us from the heart about their heroes. At the art exhibit held this summer at the ‘Marianna V. Vardinoyannis – ELPIDA’ Children’s Oncology Unit, entitled ‘My Hero’, they did us the honour of sharing their works with us.

Their heroes weren’t just superheroes with superpowers. They included a mermaid they admired for how fast she swims, a little bear who kept them company, their mothers and fathers – a great power – an imaginary friend they created to keep them company in their rooms, a sister who gave them a life-saving transplant, and the children themselves. Because within every child there is great power. Every child is a little – and at the same time, great – hero at ELPIDA and in our hearts. This year, we decided to let these fighters and winners in life to speak to you directly, bringing you close to their heroes and our little great heroes.

We started by creating a special monthly wall calendar for 2022, with each month presenting their heroes. Twelve months, twelve different heroes, as portrayed by ELPIDA’s children. Each one is different, but with a common superpower: the love they give. Is there a better way to welcome each month than remembering the different forms love can take?